Woman Uses An Old Laundry Detergent Bottle To Create Whimsical Countertop Decor

The next time you use that last splash of laundry detergent, consider getting crafty with the bottle rather than tossing it in the recycling bin. An OECD Global Plastics Outlook report from 2022 revealed only around 9% of the world's plastic actually gets recycled, so it's always better to reuse whatever you can. Thick-walled and durable plastic containers like detergent bottles are especially versatile and worth hanging onto for repurposing into storage pieces, decor, and more. It may not seem like much in the grander scheme of things, but it still makes a difference — plus, you'll get a fun, low-cost DIY and a functional home addition out of the deal.

YouTube creator MissDebbieDIY proves just how far a little creativity can take an ordinary detergent bottle, transforming it into an adorable DIY floral countertop centerpiece or bookshelf accent. Rather than simply disguising the original container, she cuts away the top and shapes the remaining plastic to customize a sculptural base that looks almost nothing like its utilitarian origins. To recreate MissDebbieDIY's centerpiece, you'll need a clean plastic detergent bottle, a piece of cardboard for the template, a marker, and scissors or a sharp utility knife. For the decorations, grab your choice of acrylic paint, a sponge, hot glue or another strong craft adhesive (just be sure you're choosing the right glue for the material), beaded strings, floral foam, and artificial flowers and embellishments.

Start the project by removing the label from a clean, empty detergent bottle (if needed, you can remove any leftover sticker residue with alcohol, vinegar, or a hot water soak). Next, trace and cut a cloud shape along the perimeter of the bottle. This will leave you with a clamshell-like base that you'll smooth with a hot iron, before painting the plastic with acrylic paint and decorating with floral embellishments and beaded trim. Finish with faux flowers and secure the arrangement inside with floral foam, such as the Jofuler floral foam blocks, which can be trimmed to size.

If you'd like to skip the foam altogether, you can take the project in a different direction and use real flowers instead. Fill the base with clean water and add fresh flowers, using marbles, like the SallyFashion glass marbles, or gems to help support the stems if needed. Remove any leaves beneath the water line to prevent bacterial growth and help your cut flowers stay fresh for longer.

You can also use earth-toned paints and embellish with jute for a rustic farmhouse look, or metallic gold paint and geometric embellishments for an Art Deco-inspired centerpiece. If you prefer something more utilitarian rather than strictly decorative, the base can also be used to store candy, craft supplies, makeup brushes, or anything else that needs a storage spot.